Those who know Jonathan Plutzik, a member of the Rush-Henrietta Class of 1972, say he is an entrepreneur with a flair for philanthropy.
After a 25-year career in the financial services industry, Mr. Plutzik retired as chairman of Credit Suisse First Boston in 2003. He also served for five years as chairman of Firaxis Game, providing expertise and guidance that helped the company become one of the world’s leading independent game developers. In recognition of his contributions to the company, he was awarded the Asper Award for Global Entrepreneurship by Brandeis University.
For many years, Mr. Plutzik has been a tireless contributor to numerous organizations. He and his wife, Lesley Goldwasser, created a family foundation supporting medical, educational, and other projects. Mr. Plutzik also created Zara’s Center, a community center in Zimbabwe dedicated to improving the lives of orphans affected by AIDS.
A cancer survivor, Mr. Plutzik has raised significant funds to assist with cancer research. He underwrote a special Holocaust Survivor's Concert at Carnegie Hall that brought together hundreds of elderly survivors of the Holocaust for a magical night of music. In addition, in honor of his late father, he helped create the Hyam Plutzik Library for Contemporary Writing Center at the University of Rochester, and produced a documentary titled, "Hyam Plutzik: American Poet," that was screened internationally.
Mr. Plutzik and his wife, Lesley, own The Betsy Hotel, which they just opened in Miami. “It is a gorgeous new hotel that focuses on the arts, literature, and philanthropy,” says his sister, Roberta Baldwin. "It's unusual in concept, but certainly an extension of what Jonathan and our family in general are all about - fostering the arts, helping people, and giving back."
